OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive leucovorin calcium IV over 2 hours and fluorouracil IV over 2-4 minutes followed by fluorouracil IV continuously over 22 hours on days 1 and 2. Arm II: Patients receive oxaliplatin IV over 2 hours, leucovorin calcium IV over 2 hours, and fluorouracil IV over 2-4 minutes followed by fluorouracil IV continuously over 22 hours on day 1. On day 2, patients receive leucovorin calcium and fluorouracil as in arm I. Treatment in both arms repeats every 2 weeks for at least 1 year in the absence of disease progression. Patients are followed at day 30 and then for approximately 6 months.